Shattered Memories, Hidden Dreams

Applejack walked through town, pulling her apple stand behind her. She had a troubled look on her face, and her pace was slower than normal. ‘I don't wanna leave Big Mac ta take care of the rest of the orchard. ' she thought worriedly. ‘But if I don't sell all these apples, we won't have any bits fer repairs. Celestia knows the house needs a good once-over and the barn's roof needs ta be fixed up.' At the thought of the barn, she remembered who now stayed there. ‘Wonder why he keeps dodging my questions. He ain't just passin' through, that's fer sure.' She was so lost in thought she didn't notice a particularly happy pink pony until she ran head long into her. As she recovered, Applejack heard a loud giggle.

"Wow Applejack, you sure move quick when you're not looking where you're going." Pinkie said as she rose from the ground. "You hit pretty hard too. But that's to be expected, seeing as you buck apples everyday for a living, so your legs have to be really, really strong."

"Uh, right. Anyway, Pinkie I really gotta-"

"Why were you all serious, Applejack? You were walking and your face was all serious and ‘don't bother me cause I'm busy' looking. You really need to lighten up. Try doing something fun, like jumping or laughing or-OH! I know. You should come to one of my parties! Lyra and Bon-Bon are celebrating their seventh anniversary, and I get to plan a party for them. You should come! I know you don't really know Lyra or Bon-Bon that well, but it'll help lighten your mood."

"That's great, Pinkie. But seriously, I have ta-"

"There you go again, all seriousness. Maybe you should come help me set everything up! It'll be so much fun. I usually set everything up myself, or get Dashie or Fluttershy to help, and it's always fun when other ponies help me set everything up. You know last year, for Colgate's birthday, I got her entire family to come to town and help set everything up. It was so much fun! I had no idea that there were so many dentists in her family. But I guess that should have been obvious by her name. Oh! And when she came in and we all shouted ‘SURPRISE' she was so happy to see her family there. See, I snuck them into town so she wouldn't know. Do you have any idea how hard it is to sneak a whole family into town? I mean, your family is a lot larger. There's no way anypony wouldn't notice your family visiting. But you guys have the best picnics and-"

"Pinkie!"

Pinkie stopped talking and smiled. "Yes, Applejack?"

"I'm sure whatever ya'll are talkin' about is real interesting. But I gotta sell these apples today or we won't make ends meet on the farm."

"Oh, is that why you're all serious?" Pinkie pulled out a large bag of bits and set it on the ground. "I'll buy your apples."

Applejack just stared at the bag, dumbfounded. "Yer serious?"

"Yep. Mr. and Mrs. Cake are in Trottingham right now, and they told me to make sure the store was kept stocked with everything we need. We got plenty of flour and sugar and stuff, but we're sorta out of apples for apple pie and apple tarts and apple strudel and apple-"

"Alright, Pinkie, I get it." Applejack said quickly. "I didn't know ya'll made stuff like that at Sugarcube Corner."

"We only started doing it earlier this month. See, while you guys definitely make the best apple products in town, you guys only make so many. So I thought it'd be a good idea to make some of your stuff and sell ‘em whenever you guys run out. They're not as good, but ponies still buy them."

"When were ya gonna tell me this?"

"I don't know. I don't see you very often unless something happens. We really should hang out more. I mean, I see Fluttershy more then I see you, and she barely leaves her cottage."

"Aright, I guess." Applejack looked at the apples in her stand. "You want some help with these?"

"Sure, but we better hurry."

"Why?"

"Because an important plot point just happened and that means there's gonna be something else following up behind it."

Applejack stared at the pink mare for a moment, than shook her head and started pulling the cart. "Ya'll are something else, Pinkie, ya really are."

As Applejack started walking ahead, Pinkie stared at the sky. After about a minute, she giggled. "You're really sneaky. But did you have to use me? Using Big Mac or Apple Bloom would have made a bit more sense. I mean, I know you're getting lazy and all, but you could have put a little more effort int-" Another moment of staring, then she rolled her eyes. "Fine, fine. I'm going, Mr. Shovey McPushypants." With that, Pinkie hopped off to catch up with Applejack and her apple stand.

*

Big Macintosh was still hard at work bucking apples. He enjoyed the work. It helped him think, and right now he had a lot to think about. ‘If we can't cover costs this week, then we gotta postpone any repairs until we start breakin' even again. I'm sure some of Applejack's friends'll help us out with the rent and buckin' apples until things look up, but until then prices will need to go up a bit. Maybe go from six bits a bushel to eight. That'll cover the stand and our food budget, but that leaves the rent plus odds and ends. If we started gettin' Sugarcube Corner to compensate us for sellin' their own versions of our product, then that could cover rent. Odds and ends will come up, but if we spend sparin'ly then-'

Not many ponies would guess it, but Big Mac knew more about economics then anypony else in his family. Applejack sold the apples, and the farm was in her name, but all the prices and how other expenses were handled were mostly decided by Big Mac. He knew what other ponies thought, but he didn't care. He was helping his family, and that's all he needed to know. His mind started to wander from the farms current economic status to the mysterious unicorn sitting in their barn.

‘What's with that pony? He ain't normal, that's fer certain. No pony no where is that big or that strong. And he knows it too. He seems like the ok sort, but I don't trust him. He's gonna slip up one day, and he ain't draggin' my sisters with 'em. First there's those weird eyes. I don' know what he did, but he better fix it or he's gonna give somepony a heart attack. And another thing-'

His train of thought was interrupted by the sound of snapping branches. Big Mac turned to see the unicorn in question walking towards him, still wearing his cloak.

"Ya ever take that darn thing off? Y'all are gonna scare ponies half ta death that way."

"No, I don't. There's no reason for me too." He looked around for a moment, then looked at Big Mac. "Where is your sister, Applejack?"

"She went into town to sell what apples we got left. What's it to ya?"

"I'm afraid it is time I took my leave. I wanted to thank her for allowing me to stay in your barn."

"You ain't goin' nowhere." Big Mac took a step forward. "You still got some questions to answer."

"Is that so?" The unicorn said, raising an eyebrow. Beneath his hood, his horn began to glow an inky black color.

"Ya, it is. I know Applejack didn't get nothin' outta ya when y'all were talkin' earlier. It's botherin' her, and I don't like it when colts bother ma sister."

"I'm certain you don't."

Big Mac was getting frustrated at the unicorn's calm demeanor. "Listen here... uh..."

‘Shoot.' Big Mac thought. ‘What's his name again?' Big Mac racked his brain, trying to remember what the colts name was.

"It's Moon Runner."

"What?"

"My name, it's Moon Runner."

"I-I knew that." Big Mac said defensively.

"Of course, but it never hurts to be sure."

"Anyway, you ain't leavin' 'till ya answer her questions."

"Hers or yours?"

"Hers. I ain't got any questions."

"Of course you don't. A unicorn appears out of nowhere on your property, induces your youngest sister into unconsciousness, is able to stop you and two other ponies simultaneously, and has somehow earned your younger sister's trust. Nothing to question there."

"Watch yer tone, colt." Big Mac stepped forward again.

"Or what, Mr. Macintosh?" Big Mac hesitated, causing Moon Runner to snort. "You should watch your anger. It can get you into trouble." Moon Runner took a step forward, causing Big Mac to take a step back. "I know you do not honestly think you could win, and I know you are not as bull headed as you continue to act. If you wish to continue this charade, continue it with a less intelligent pony."

Big Mac wasn't sure how to respond. ‘Consarn it,' he thought. ‘Where is Applejack when you need her?'

"Selling apples I believe." Moon Runner said calmly. "At least, I assume she is."

Big Mac glared at the unicorn. "Y'all got an answer fer everything, don't ya?"

"Someone has to." Moon Runner said simply. "But, you have your own answers, don't you? You are busy trying to figure out something... ah, there it is. You are having problems with money. You are trying to balance your finances to leave room for odds and ends, while keeping the food budget at a livable amount and the rent paid."

Big Mac took a step back, sweating a little. "H-How did you-"

"That's not all." Moon Runner interrupted, closing his eyes. "You are also thinking of a certain mare. She is on your mind a lot, isn't she? Let's see..." Big Mac suddenly felt a sharp pain in his head. He held his head with his hoof, rubbing his temple.

"You are a fighter, aren't you? Let me see... you have quite a few secrets in here, Mr. Macintosh. Like how you paid the rent last month when you didn't have enough money. Or when you started following that mare around, stalking her through the streets, trying to speak to her. Now, who is she?"

The pain became more intense, and Big Mac felt as if every bit of strength was being sapped from him. "Ah! What th-the hay are y-you doing to me?"

Moon Runner frowned, his eyes still shut. "You really can bury a secret. I'm impressed. Few ponies can keep their minds this protected. You must have worked hard to keep so organized. But what are you hiding?"

Big Mac fell to the ground, his head burning with an indescribable pain. He put his hooves over his head, trying to shield himself from whatever was happening. "AAAHHH!"

Moon Runner opened his eyes, a look of understanding crossing his face. "Ah, now I see. You hid the identity of your mare with your greatest shame. A nice place to hide something, if another pony was looking for it." Moon Runner looked down at Big Mac with concern. "You have nothing to be ashamed of, but I can understand wanting to keep that hidden from the others."

"You can't understand, colt." Big Mac said through gritted teeth. "Just keep yer mouth shut about all that, understand?"

"Oh, I will, Macintosh. But my silence comes at a price."

Big Mac glared at the unicorn standing over him. "What makes ya think I'll agree?"

"Because if you don't," Moon Runner said calmly, "I will tell them everything. The mare's identity, how you pay the rent when you are low on bits, and that one secret you've left locked away for so long." Big Mac flinched as his deepest secrets started playing out before his eyes. "You will agree because if you don't, the consequences will break you."

Big Mac sat there, angry but subdued. "What do you want?" He asked quietly.

"I have a certain book." Moon Runner said carefully. "This book is extremely important, and must be kept safe. However, if I was to leave this town for, say, Canterlot, then the book would be in danger of being taken away. You will accompany me whenever I leave this place, and I will release you only when I have no intention of returning. Is this understood?"

"Yeah."

"Yes what?"

"Yes, Moon Runner."

Moon Runner nodded. "I'm glad we have an understanding. For now, remain with your family. I will call on you when I need you." His gaze softened, and beneath his hood, his horn went dull. "I apologize for this. I had no intention of digging that deep into your mind. If it's any consolation, I do understand what it's like."

"Just get outta here." Big Mac said, trying hard to control his anger. "The sooner you leave, the better it'll be for all of us."

"I couldn't agree more." Moon Runner turned and walked in the direction of town, leaving Big Mac to buck trees, the sound of which could be heard all over town.